Keep the Family Healthy A Modern Guide to Healthcare
 


What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis manifests itself as a rheumatic disease in more than 90-percent of all patients in the HLA-B27 genotype, though the specific antibodies for the disease have yet to be identified by researchers.

It has been hypothesized by researchers that ankylosing spondylitis has a relationship with antigens from the Klebsiella bacteria; which is responsible for a number of diseases including septicemia, soft-tissue infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.

While there is no direct test that clinically diagnoses ankylosing spondylitis, studies of the spine and X-ray’s often show the spinal deformities as the vertebrae begin to fuse together. The best means of diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis is by using tomography or an MRI in which the sacroiliac joints are fully examined by a physician. Other means of determining ankylosing spondylitis can occur when a patient is experiencing bouts of inflammation which creates contractions of the C-reactive protein in the bloodstream, as well as a general increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate; which how quickly the red blood cells regenerate within the course of an hour.


 
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Root Relieves Back Pain

The British Journal of Sports Medicine has releases findings that an ointment made from the comfrey root has medicinal properties that aid in the relief of back pain.

The study included more than 120 participants who had chronic back pain yet were all able to feel marked improvement in regards to the amount of pain they felt.

MORE INFO: Back Pain

Migraine Link to Breast Cancer

According to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, women who experience chronic migraine headaches are at a significantly lower risk of breast cancer.

Because of the hormone related triggers, there is a direct correlation between migraines and breast cancer, said Dr. Christopher Li.

Women that have a history of migraines are at a 30-percent less risk of cancer.

MORE INFO: Headaches


Environment Affects Sleep

In a study conducted at the Sousze Sleep Center in Hamburg, Germany, it was found that the root cause of more than 40-percent of all sleep related disorders or problems had an environmental cause.

"This was a progressive, three year study in which we asked a hundred patients to keep accurate logs and record their sleep experiences, including what would disturb them," said Dr. Sousze.

MORE INFO: Sleep Disorders